S.Amdt. 5333

1. Adds SEC. 1083. MEDICAL CARE FOR VETERANS IN FAR SOUTH TEXAS at the end of subtitle G of title X

   Adds a section

   In S. 3001 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (2) in paragraph (2), by striking "implemented" and inserting "developed".

   Inserted: SEC. 1083. MEDICAL CARE FOR VETERANS IN FAR SOUTH TEXAS.

   Inserted: (a) Determination and Notice.--

   Inserted: (1) Determination.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine, and notify Congress pursuant to paragraph (2), whether the needs of veterans in Far South Texas for acute inpatient hospital care should be met-- (A) through a project for a public-private venture to provide inpatient services and long-term care to veterans in an existing facility in Far South Texas; (B) through a project for construction of a new full-service, 50-bed hospital with a 125-bed nursing home in Far South Texas; or (C) through a sharing agreement with a military treatment facility in Far South Texas.

   Inserted: (2) Notification and prospectus.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report--

   Inserted: (A) identifying which of the three options specified in paragraph (1) has been selected by the Secretary; and

   Inserted: (B) providing, for the option selected, a prospectus that includes, at a minimum, the matter specified in paragraphs (1) through (8) of section 8104(b) of title 38, United States Code, and the project timelines.

   Inserted: (b) Public-Private Venture for Medical Care for Veterans in Far South Texas.--

   Inserted: (1) Project.--If the option selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (a)(1) is the option specified in subparagraph (A) of such subsection for a project of a public-private venture to provide inpatient and long-term care to veterans at an existing facility in Far South Texas, then the Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, take such steps as necessary to enter into an agreement with an appropriate private-sector entity to provide for inpatient and long-term care services for veterans at an existing facility in one of the counties of Far South Texas. Such an agreement may include provision for construction of a new wing or other addition at such facility to provide additional services that will, under the agreement, be leased by the United States and dedicated to care and treatment of veterans by the Secretary under title 38, United States Code.

   Inserted: (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary for a public-private venture project under this subsection.

   Inserted: (c) New Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Far South Texas.--

   Inserted: (1) Project authorization.--If the option selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (a)(1) is the option specified in subparagraph (B) of such subsection for a project for construction in Far South Texas of a new full-service, 175-bed facility providing inpatient and long-term care services, such facility shall be located in the county in Far South Texas that the Secretary determines most suitable to meet the health care needs of veterans in the region.

   Inserted: (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Construction, Major Projects, account of the Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to any other amounts authorized for that account, the amount of $175,000,000 for the project authorized by paragraph (1).

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   Inserted: (d) Shared Facility With Department of Defense, Far South Texas.--

   Inserted: (1) Project authorization.--If the option selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (a)(1) is the option specified in subparagraph (C) of such subsection for a project of a Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense shared facility to provide inpatient and long-term care to veterans at an existing facility in Far South Texas, then the Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, take such steps as necessary to enter into an agreement with an appropriate military treatment facility to provide for inpatient and long-term care services for veterans at an existing facility in one of the counties of Far South Texas. Such an agreement may include provision for construction of a new wing or other addition at such facility to provide additional services that will, under the agreement, be leased by the United States and dedicated to care and treatment of veterans by the Secretary under title 38, United States Code.

   Inserted: (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary for a Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense venture project under this subsection.

   Inserted: (e) Far South Texas Defined.--In this section, the term "Far South Texas" means the following counties of the State of Texas: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Crockett, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Goliad, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

Read automatically from the Congressional Record. Check the original before relying on it.

As printed